Like it or not, every social setting has its rules to keep people in line--whether spoken or not.

The gym is certainly no exception.

No one might verbally communicate those "turn off" things to people as they join area fitness centers in an effort to keep those New Year's resolutions, but there are things you should and shouldn't do, say gym owners.

Lyle Schuler calls them "member courtesies" and said his Mid-Hudson Athletic Club (MAC Fitness) does its best to make sure all members feel comfortable in a setting that brings a variety of people together in what is supposed to be a relaxed environment.

As far as unwanted flirtation goes, Schuler said he can't necessarily stop it, but he offered some pointers to female (or, in some cases, male) members who want to be left alone.

"If you're wearing headphones and somebody goes to talk to you, point to the headphones, don't stop what you're doing and just smile. They'll get the message, and you can continue your workout," he said.

Certain people by virtue of who they are--like public officials or celebrities--are bound to get noticed by others, Schuler said, but that doesn't mean they should be disturbed.

"I think whenever you're in public, people look at people. They watch people whether they're in a park or a department store," he said.

"But this is not a nightclub, and we don't have flirtation police here, so just send off a signal that you're not open to that. People will be able to tell," he said.

On a lighter note, some join the gym with the right intention but end up meeting someone special just the same, Schuler noted.

"I personally know of about 50 people that have met at the club and gotten married," he said.

Flirtation aside, Schuler said giving off the same don't-approach-me body language might discourage friends or colleagues who want to chat on your gym time.

"Again, just point to the headphones and say, 'I'll catch up to you later.'"

Schuler feels so strongly about uninterrupted workouts that he makes it a point to tell his trainers not to intrude on people, even those who are using equipment improperly, until they are done with their sets (repetitions).

"I tell them to wait till the exercise is over. Wait till the set is done. If somebody's lifting dumbbells over their head, that's not the time to talk to them," he said.

Another thing Schuler said gym members, particularly females, find comforting is that they can exercise in a private, women's-only area at the MAC at 743 East Chester St. in Kingston.

"We see a combination of women prefer to be in their own space. Maybe they just woke up, and they want to hit the treadmills and shower and then go to work," Schuler said.

"Some women prefer the more quiet area, and the machines are smaller. We actually have smaller equipment to fit a women's frame better. At least a third of our women start in the women's-only area," he said.

After 90 days, about 75 percent of them move their workouts to the larger gym.

Still, Schuler said many women value the "safe environment," where they learn how to use the equipment properly.

"And it's a real bonus for members who might be a little shy," he said.

Other gym taboos, Schuler noted, can actually be unsafe.

One, believe it or not, is showing up late for a fitness class.

"We don't want the person coming in late not properly warmed up," he said.

"Some people may come in 10 minutes late, and, by that time, the class is in a whole other level, and it's not as safe without a proper warm up."

It also distracts those who are punctual and may require people to "move their positions" or "relocate their steps," Schuler said.

He also reminds new members that both MAC Fitness locations (the 9W and Kingston Plaza gyms) allow people to bring their own beverages, but on a safety note, he reminds them to keep the lids on their containers, so they won't spill by accident.

As a courtesy to others, Schuler also asks members not to leave their water bottles or free weights lying around where others can trip on them.

An additional taboo at the gym is loud grunting, particularly in the free-weight area, Schuler noted.

"There's really no place for that in the gym. That's just noise interference for other customers," he said.

"The guys who do that, with some exception, it's just unnecessary. Please keep it down or use a little less weight."

Of course, no discussion of gym etiquette would be complete without reminding people to wipe off the equipment when they're done using it.

With the threat this year for widespread influenza, that is especially important, he said.

"Just wipe the machine down. We provide the spray bottles of antibacterial cleaning fluid and a dozen paper towel dispensers around the gym. If you're a heavy sweater, the paper towels might not get it done, so bring a towel from home," he said.